What is an Ankle Arthroscopy
Ankle arthroscopy is a surgical procedure in which small cuts (incisions) are made in the area around your ankle. A small telescope-like instrument (arthroscope) and surgical instruments are inserted through these incisions into your ankle joint.
This procedure allows the surgeon to look at the ankle joint, which may help to diagnose and treat any problems at the ankle joint. This procedure may help to lessen pain and increase the use of your ankle. You may need this procedure if you have problems with your ankle joint, such as:
- Ankle fracture.
- Arthritis in your ankle.
- Ankle instability.
- Pinching in front or at the back of the ankle joint due to repetitive activities (impingement).
- Damaged or loose cartilage, bone or scar tissue in your ankle.
- Infection in the ankle joint.
- Pain and swelling.
Tell a health care provider about:
- Any allergies you have.
- All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
- Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
- Any blood disorders you have.
- Any surgeries you have had.
- Any medical conditions you have, including any current infection.
- Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
What are the risks?
Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:
- Infection.
- Allergic reactions to medicines or dyes.
- Bleeding.
- Damage to nerves or blood vessels.
- Blood clots.
- Numbness or tingling on the top of the foot.
What happens before the procedure?
Staying hydrated
Follow instructions from your health care provider about hydration, which may include:
- Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, and plain tea.
Eating and drinking restrictions
Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking, which may include:
- 8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods such as meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
- 6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or cereal.
- 6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that contain milk.
- 2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.
Medicines
- You may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.
- Ask
your health care provider about:
- Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
- Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood.Do nottake these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
General instructions
- Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.
- If you will be going home right after the procedure, plan to have someone with you for 24 hours.
- You may be asked to shower with a germ-killing soap.
- Your health care provider may ask you about your medical history and may do a physical exam.
- You may have an X-ray, an MRI, or a CT scan done.
- You may have lab tests the day of your procedure.
- Ask your health care provider how your surgical site will be marked or identified.
- Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco for as long as directed before your procedure. This includes cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
What happens during the procedure?
- To
lower your risk of infection:
- Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
- Your skin will be washed with soap.
- Hair may be removed from the surgical area.
- An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
- You
will be given one or more of the following:
- A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
- A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
- A medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
- A medicine that is injected into your spine to numb the area below and slightly above the injection site (spinal anesthetic).
- A breathing tube will be placed in your lungs.
- Several small incisions will be made in the area around your ankle.
- Salt-water (saline) fluid will be placed into one of the incisions. This expands the ankle and clears away any blood.
- The arthroscope will be inserted through the incisions into your ankle joint. An image will be projected onto a video screen. Your surgeon will view the images to see if there is any damage to your tissues or ligaments.
- If an injury is found in the tissues or ligaments, such as a tear, your surgeon will fix the injury.
- The incisions will be closed.
- A bandage (dressing) will be placed over the incisions.
- A splint or boot may be placed on your ankle.
The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.
What happens after the procedure?
- Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until the medicines you were given have worn off.
- Do notdrive for 24 hours if you were given a sedative.
- You may have pain and swelling. You will be given pain medicine as needed.
- You will be asked to keep your leg raised (elevated) above the level of your heart.
Summary
- Ankle arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that allows the surgeon to look at the ankle joint in order to diagnose and treat any problems at the ankle joint.
- A bandage (dressing) will be placed over the incisions and a splint or boot may be placed over your ankle.
- Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.
Ankle Arthroscopy, Care After
What can I expect after the procedure?
After your procedure, it is common to have:
- Swelling, stiffness, and pain.
- Constipation from pain medicine.
Follow these instructions at home:
If you have a splint or boot:
- Wear the splint or boot as told by your health care provider. Remove it only as told by your health care provider.
- Loosen the splint or boot if your toes tingle, become numb, or turn cold and blue.
- Keep the splint or boot clean.
- If
the splint or boot is not waterproof:
- Do notlet it get wet.
- Cover it with a watertight covering when you take a shower.
Bathing
- Do nottake baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves. Ask your health care provider if you can take showers.
- If your cast or boot is not waterproof, cover it with a watertight covering when you take a shower.
- Keep the dressing dry until your health care provider says it can be removed.
Incision care
- Follow
instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your
incisions. Make sure you:
- Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
- Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do notremove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
- Check
your incision area every day for signs of infection. Check for:
- More redness, swelling, or pain.
- You have more fluid or blood.
- Warmth
- Pus or a bad smell.
- Keep the dressing dry until your health care provider says it can be removed.
Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling
- Raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.
- If
directed, put ice on the injured area:
- If you have a removable splint or boot, remove it as told by your health care provider
- Put ice in a plastic bag.
- Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
- Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
- Move your toes often to avoid stiffness and to lessen swelling.
Driving
- Do notdrive until you are able to put all of your weight onto your surgical leg.
- Ask your health care provider when it is safe to drive if you have a splint or boot.
- Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
General instructions
- Do any exercises or physical therapy as told by your health care provider.
- Follow your health care provider’s instructions on using your injured limb to support your body weight. You may need to use crutches.
- To
prevent or treat constipation while you are taking prescription pain
medicine, your health care provider may recommend that you:
- Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
- Take over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
- Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
- Limit foods that are high in fat and processed sugars, such as fried and sweet foods.
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco. These can delay bone healing. This includes cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You have a fever.
- You have more redness, swelling, or pain around your incision area.
- You have more fluid or blood coming from your incision area.
- Your incision feels warm to the touch.
- You have pus or a bad smell coming from your incision area.
- Your incision site breaks open after the closures are removed.
- Your pain does not get better when you take medicine.
Get help right away if:
- You have chest pain or shortness of breath.
- You have numbness in your foot or toes, and it gets worse.
- Your foot turns cold and blue and does not get better when you loosen your splint or boot.
Summary
- It is common to have ankle swelling, stiffness, or pain after the procedure.
- Putting ice and elevating your ankle will help manage the swelling and pain.
- Do notdrive or use heavy machinery if you are taking prescription pain medicine. Ask your health care provider when it is safe to drive.
- Contact your health care provider if you notice any signs of infection.
